engleski

Effect of cavity ventilation on hygrothermal performance of a heavyweight building envelope

This study investigates the effect of air cavity ventilation on hygrothermal performance of a heavyweight building envelope constructed with ventilated prefabricated wall panels. The specificity of panels lies in utilization of recycled construction and demolition waste for production of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). To evaluate the long-term hygrothermal performance of presented envelope, an in-situ monitoring system was designed and commissioned in three-story family house in City of Koprivnica, Croatia. Temperature and humidity distribution through all characteristic layers - outer RAC façade layer, air cavity, thermal insulation and inner RAC layer - was observed for differently-oriented wall panels. By analyzing the first-year monitoring results it was found that ventilation helped to maintain acceptable relative humidity levels in thermal insulation. Moreover, it was observed that cavity ventilation decreased surface temperature of thermal insulation in summer period and increased it in winter period, thus resulting with lower overall heat loss compared to non-ventilated envelope system. This positive effect of cavity ventilation on hygrothermal performance was influenced by wall orientation, with the most pronounced effect being exhibited for the south-oriented wall panel.

heavyweight building envelope, recycled aggregate concrete, hygrothermal performance, cavity ventilation

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